“But just as royalty now has less attention than celebrity, so couture has lost its unique prestige, with the word bandied about by any high-end designer. And whereas fragrances produced from the mystique of haute couture once kept the houses afloat, now it is just as likely that a hip jeans brand like Diesel or a celebrity like Jennifer Lopez will have the perfume hit that has stubbornly eluded Lacroix.” Suzy Menkes, on the devastating news that Christian Lacroix has filed for bankruptcy protection
3
posted by cesarcmma
May 28, 2009 5:21PM
Devasting is the word. :(
and it's hard to think on somebody doing something for the house, he lacked connection with the young costumers, which is (was) a shame because of his incredible craftmanship...one wonders what would have happened if he didn't part ways with LVMH...but they had "different creative visions"...
sad news...
5
posted by guest
May 28, 2009 8:30PM
Cesarcmma, "he lacked connection with the young costumers," I didn't realize young customers are the ones funding a sustainable and meaningful fashion company or even capable of funding a sustainable and meaningful company. I'm guessing the majority of profitable fashion houses are funded not by young consumers and it is women that are purchasing their wears. Maybe part of the problem with fashion nowadays is its obsession with dressing girls and alienating women with the money and means to purchase and to purchase loyally and regularly.
6
posted by guest
May 28, 2009 10:03PM
I see the reason for it. It is all mediated by the current trends in the fashion industry, which designers thought was working in their favour, but it was the opposite. In the 80's and 90's fashion was a household subject, and people knew the names of models. But due to the selfish ambitions of fashion designers, wanting to make themselves out to be celebrities, prevented models from showing personalities and made them walk out in stoic expressions. Then came the skinny twig creatures from planet uba, who alienated alot of these brand's major customers.Do you really think that young skinny girls of the age of 16 can afford a $14,000 dress? No, its the middle aged business women who drive alot of sales in the fashion world, and like it or not, they are not of the species found on planet uba. They are chunky monkeys from planet jelly belly. When they see young girls, as opposed to models in their late/mid 20's, they feel confused about the brand's image, and go to banana republic to find some chinos.
So dont feel so sad people, the economy is one thing, but if you are a clever business person and not driven by your own subjective biased desires, you can survive a recession. Good brands stay strong in hard times if led by a strong business and marketing department, but if you base your marketing stratgies on your own opinions rather than what your market wants, then you deserve what you get.
And someone get those pink icing covered rasin buns off those girls heads, they will make their weaves dissolve!!!!!!!!
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posted by guest
May 28, 2009 10:03PM
terrible news. few true couture designers are left.
re #5: connecting with young customers -> more hype and coverage in magazines like instyle (unfortunately) -> bigger bag/shoe/perfume/denim sales -> much greater profit than selling well designed beautiful clothes
also, it has been mentioned a lot that couture shows are very expensive and the designs are not profitable at all. the point of them is to get some celebrities to wear a couple of the dresses and then sell perfume and bags. it seems that lacroix hasn't been able to do that. and truthfully i have no idea what lacroix perfumes there are.
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posted by Jean Voltaire
May 28, 2009 10:49PM
I am truly saddened by this news - it is devastating. His collections keep getting better and better and I honestly don't understand why his Maison is not appreciated. I will always have a spot for Lacroix - always.
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posted by guest
May 29, 2009 8:23AM
I know the name Lacroix (I know he makes haute-couture) but none of his clothes or his own face for that matthers comes to mind. I think that says enough.
@6 You clearly dont get it do you ? The reason why they use young skinny models is because the customers are not. There buying into a dream. They buy the clothes because they think they will look like that. What you dont have is always really appealing. These women with money have the means but they dont have the youth anymore. (Kind of tragic) Anyways there buying into the fantasy. Because aftert all, that is what Fashion is about: its a dream.
Its like you can buy a bra from Victoria's Secret. But 90% of the customers will never look like Doutzen.
www.dreamlovely-anne.blogspot.com
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posted by guest
May 29, 2009 9:03AM
This is why this is so sad:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220407043131
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posted by austinsamuel
May 30, 2009 8:19AM
#11 "None of his clothes come to mind"
- Who wasn't wearing ombre tights for a while there?!?!?!
posted by guest
May 28, 2009 5:00PM
devastating is right! this breaks my heart.